Golf writer & photographer. Author of ‘Hooked’, the most comprehensive guide to Ireland's golf courses, and ‘Driving the Green’. Published by Collins Press. Editor for Destination Golf Ireland, feature writer for Irish Golfer Magazine freelancer for Irish Examiner. Golf is in the blood. http://www.kevinmarkhamphotography.com

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Top 150 Golf Courses in Ireland - Destination Golf

The new guide to Ireland’s Top 150 Courses has just been published by Destination
Golf. This is the second year the guide has been produced and it is 178 pages long
(16 more than last year)… that’s a substantial size when you get your hands on
it. It is a glossy and impressive production (online or in hard copy) with
dozens of photographs and reviews of all 150 golf courses.

Courses are rated across three categories:
Platinum, Gold and Silver.

You’ll find my favourite courses included…
which is no surprise as I am the editor of this particular guide. Destination
Golf also produces guides to Spain, Portugal and Turkey, as well as Europe’s Top 100 Stay & Play Resorts, just in case you’re thinking of a holiday anytime
soon.

Portmarnock's 9th hole

You’ll find the new guide in clubhouses
around the country – they’re free – and also online (click here), so grab a
copy, put your feet up and check out what Destination Golf consider to be the
top 150 courses on this. Those photos should help you find somewhere new to
play this year.

Yes, very different selection criteria. Gowran Park would be very close to being in our Top 100; Wexford on the other hand would not! I wouldn't have it in my top 200... not that it isn't good - it's fine - but it's too erratic in terms of consistency

Actually no, I've never played it 'wet'. I was referring to the types of holes. But I have heard it can get sodden. In terms of contrasting criteria, I guess the easiest differentiation is this: every ranking has its own format and balance of points. Course design will always be included but it may account for 10% of the marks in one ranking, and 40% in another. Some rankings acknowledge that the setting (views etc.) are important while others won't even mention them. It's things like that which leads to different rankings... and subjectivity of course. For me, it has always been about the golf experience. Courses can deliver fabulous experiences without being brilliantly designed. Of course, that's very subjective as well.

Personally I wouldn't put the views very high on my list of criteria. If they are there then fine I will always take a few moments to admire them (Coollattin comes to mind) but I definitely wouldn't base my day out on them. The quality of the course is what it is all about, not the view. But to contradict myself I would always consider the quality of the food available!!! Does that ever appear on a ranking list?

The thing about food is that caterers change faster that Taylormade new season drivers. As soon as a rumour about a great chef gets out there, that chef has moved on. OK, a bit of an exaggeration, but in the 1st edition of Hooked, I commented that the scones at Westport GC were to die for... only to be told that the lady who made them had moved on. That said, I agree with you that good food in a clubhouse is a big bonus.